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Monday, September 2, 2013

Merciful Monday: Are You In?

As we have often discussed in our
posts based off of earlier sections of the Old Testament, God makes promises to
his people. These promises are continually mentioned throughout the Bible in
similar fashion. In my opinion this is because God wants us to truly see how
great our lives can be if we serve Him.

Our reading in 2 Chronicles explains
yet another promise that is available to all believers, and it is one that is
particularly dear to my heart. It reads: “If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

For this promise in particular God
uses a predictive conditional or “If, then” statement. A predictive conditional
statement has two clauses, the “if” clause and the “then” clause—the “if”
clause is the condition, while the “then” clause is the consequence, telling us
what will happen in the future if the condition is fulfilled. God is telling us
point blank what we can receive for him if we commit ourselves to serving him.

IF WE:

humble
ourselves

acknowledge, recognize, and admit that you need God
in your life

stop making everything about you

change your mind set from one of self-interest to
one of compassion for others

pray
and seek God’s face

create a clean slate by asking God for forgiveness
(this also requires forgiving others that we feel have wronged us)

aim for your relationship with God to grow (you
should be all up in his face!)

learn of God through speaking with him

pray for those that do not know God

turn
from our wicked ways

after you repent, stop doing what you used do (it’s
easier said than done, but if you follow the first two steps, it will
come easier because God will give you the strength to turn away from
temptation)

thirst after righteousness rather than your own
desires

THEN GOD WILL:

hear
from Heaven

the Bible tells us that God will listen to our
prayers

Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as
long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in
prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark
11:24

forgive
your sin

Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins. Our
sins are covered by the blood he shed when he died on the cross. So now
once we seek forgiveness, God freely gives it

Once we forgive others, God is able to forgive us.
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone,
forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your
sins." Mark 11:25

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. 1 John 1:19

heal
your land

God will relieve the pain and heal even your
deepest wounds (those tough times you have had in life that have deeply
scarred you)

God will bless your house

God will give you peace

Throughout the Bible, God always
communicates his desire to listen, forgive, and heal us, as these are often the
things we want most as humans. Still, it is up to us to take up his invitation.
It is like God is inviting us to this amazing party! He is willing to give us
everlasting life, but we have to work for it because nothing in life is free
except God’s love (against such there is no law. Galatians 5:23). So don’t miss
out on receiving the benefits of God’s promise because you are unwilling to
heed his conditions. I'M IN!.... ARE YOU?

Merciful Mondays: Jael

“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon
you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.”
Deuteronomy 4:31